Co-host USF men’s golf has a 13-shot advantage heading into Tuesday’s final round in Bradenton.
Albin Bergstrom fires a 4-under 68 in the second round to finish opening day with a two-shot lead.
BRADENTON, Fla., MARCH 9, 2020 – Co-host USF men’s golf built a 13-shot advantage while Albin Bergstrom worked his way to the top of the individual leaderboard during Monday’s opening rounds of The Challenge at Concession.
USF (+23) grabbed a three-shot lead with an 11-over 299 team score in the morning round and gained distance on second-place High Point (+36) in the afternoon. Head coach Steve Bradley’s Bulls will look to secure their first tournament title of the season Tuesday at The Concession Golf Club (par 72, 7,470 yards).
Bergstrom used six birdies to post a 4-under 68 in the second round and finished the day with a two-shot lead at 2-under. The sophomore from Ljunghusen, Sweden is seeking his second victory of the season and third in his USF career.
Luke Gifford carded scores of 74 and 75 to start the tournament in a tie for fourth at 5-over. The sophomore from Boca Raton, Fla., is shooting for his sixth straight top-10 finish.
Senior Kyle Flexsenhar (Lake Mary, Fla.) is in eighth place and two shots outside the top five at 7-over (75-76). Playing as an individual, sophomore Massimo Mbetse (Bradenton, Fla./South Africa) shot a 73 in the second round and moved up to a ninth place at 8-over.
Also competing as an individual, sophomore Anthony Muttillo (Boca Raton, Fla.) wrapped up opening day in a tie for 24th place at 13-over.
USF Lineup Scores
| 1 | South Florida | 299 | 300 | 599 |
| 1 | Albin Bergstrom (2) | 74 | 68 | 142 |
| T4 | Luke Gifford (1) | 74 | 75 | 149 |
| 8 | Kyle Flexsenhar (3) | 75 | 76 | 151 |
| T33 | Run Youprayong (4) | 76 | 83 | 159 |
| T37 | Sam Nicholson (5) | 79 | 81 | 160 |
Individual Scores
| Pos. | Player (Team) | Rd 1 | Rd 2 | Total |
| 9 | Massimo Mbetse (South Florida) | 79 | 73 | 152 |
| T24 | Anthony Muttillo (South Florida) | 78 | 79 | 157 |
| T27 | Cole Castro (South Florida) | 79 | 79 | 158 |
Notables
- USF is looking for its first team tournament victory of the season. The Bulls have placed third or better five times in 2019-20.
- Albin Bergstrom is seeking the third individual title of his collegiate career and second of the season. Chase Koepka (2012-16) holds the USF record with four career wins.
Up Next
Tuesday’s final round begins with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Follow the action in progress HERE.
About USF Men’s Golf
USF men’s golf captured four consecutive American Athletic Conference Championship titles in wire-to-wire fashion prior to 2019 and has earned seven straight trips to NCAA Regionals. The program is led by Steve Bradley, who has been named American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year four times. Follow @USFMGolf on Twitter for the latest information concerning the program.
